Consolidation in U.S. marketplace, accompanied by route reductions and higher fares, are opening up a broad spectrum of opportunities for quality hybrid carriers and the new breed of ultra low-cost carriers (ULCCs)…as Southwest’s costs have risen and its model evolved, other new entrants have also moved to hybridise their product, reducing their cost edge.

The overall outcome: three distinct business models in the region: full-service network carriers, hybrids and ultra low-cost airlines. The consequence: more openings for genuinely low priced travel, as well as quality hybrids.